Meet Sunny: Sunny is a 13-year-old cream point Balinese male. A Balinese is essentially a long-haired Siamese, and is considered a distinct breed among most cat registries. CFA specifically classifies red/cream pointed Balinese (along with lynx points and tortie points) as a sub-breed called "Javanese", but the color is the only difference. TICA recognizes red, … Continue reading Judge, Jury, and Social Executioner: Mob Mentality in the Digital Age

MYTH: Touching baby birds will result in rejection by the parents. FACT: This old wives’ tale is unequivocally false, and wildlife rehabilitation experts have been trying to show this to the public for years. The majority of common non-predatory birds have little to no ability to smell, as they are seed/insect eaters and it plays … Continue reading MYTH: Touching Baby Birds Will Cause Them To Be Rejected?

The topic of TNR and managed feral cat colonies is highly controversial. While many in rescue tout it as the self-sustaining solution to overpopulation, those on the opposing side are in constant defense of the devastating impact these cats have on native ecosystems, song birds, wildlife, etc. A recent ecological study in 2010 by the … Continue reading The Downside of TNR: The Ecological Devastation of Feral Cats

The actual pointed coat coloring that Siamese and other breeds are known for (as well as rats, mice, and rabbits) is simply a recessive form of partial albinism called "Himalayan".
The Himalayan mutation alters the enzyme responsible for melanin production, which is called Tyrosinase. The mutation restricts the ability of tyrosinase to oxidize tyrosine only at cooler temperatures; warmer temperatures deactivate the enzyme.

In regard to prescription diets, pet food ingredients, ingredient labels, laws, regulations, and fundamental physiology, there is an endless amount of misunderstanding and false misinformation currently littering the internet. Many websites claim this or that, but almost always have some type of underlying bias, utilize unreliable sources, or do not have the necessary medical knowledge … Continue reading Pet Food: Demystifying the Physiology, Definitions, Ingredients, Regulations

Of course you have! Cats are fascinating animals with very unique physiological adaptations that make them superb hunters in the wild. Sharing your home with a cat is akin to living alongside a miniature leopard; a smaller yet almost identical version of their gorgeous cousins. The cat's tongue is just one of the amazing tools … Continue reading Have you ever wondered about a cat’s tongue?